| While horse racing enjoys popularity the world over - | | | | There are different types of horse racing that are |
| and has for quite some time - the history of the sport | | | | popular in the United States. One way to differentiate |
| in North America is particularly interesting. The first | | | | is the type of track - dirt, polytrack, and grass are the |
| horse racing course in America was in what is now | | | | most common surfaces, though some race types will |
| known as Hempstead Plains in Nassau County, New | | | | incorporate more than one of these into the same |
| York. The course, Newmarket, opened its gates in | | | | track. Thoroughbred racing is the most common type |
| 1665, and in doing so, it helped kick off the rich tradition | | | | of race - and the one most Americans are familiar |
| of the horse racing sport in America. Due to the | | | | with, though quarter horse racing and harness racing |
| success of Newmarket, many other racing tracks | | | | also enjoy their own popularity. Arabian horse racing is |
| were opened, including the Belmont track in New York. | | | | uncommon, but there are enthusiasts who enjoy that |
| Belmont is the largest dirt course in all of thoroughbred | | | | sort of racing. |
| racing. It opened in May 1905, and continues to be one | | | | Horse race tracks are all different lengths, depending |
| of the most popular venues for horse racing and is | | | | on the type of race, the surface, and the style of |
| noted as "the big time" for many racers. It is owned | | | | racing/horses that will be participating. Interestingly |
| and operated by the New York Racing Association, | | | | enough, many horse breeders choose to raise their |
| which also owns Saratoga and Aqueduct. The biggest | | | | horses with specific types of races and courses in |
| race at Belmont is the immensely popular Belmont | | | | mind, choosing studs and fillies who have the proper |
| Stakes. A statue of the legendary horse, Secretariat, | | | | genetic makeup to breed strong race horses. |
| stands in the center of the track, as he set a world | | | | There are differences in the races and how the |
| record for his 1973 race there [amongst other | | | | horses are bred for specific races. For example, |
| achievements over the course of his career.] | | | | thoroughbreds are bred to run longer distances, while |
| The three most important races in North American | | | | quarter horses are generally faster. As such, the two |
| horse racing come together to form the "triple crown." | | | | have different builds. Thoroughbreds are taller and |
| Including the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and | | | | leaner than quarter horses, who are bred to be shorter |
| Preakness Stakes. Beyond that, many racing | | | | and more muscular. A quarter horse race is generally |
| enthusiasts enjoy the Breeders' Cup races. The | | | | held on a straight track and is much faster with a |
| former is held earlier in the year, and the latter, later. As | | | | different type of competition than a thoroughbred race. |
| such, different values are placed on the wins. While | | | | A thoroughbred race is held on something more like a |
| some prefer the classic triple crown to the new breed | | | | car race track, and it is easier for a specific horse and |
| of race that is the Breeders' Cup, many like the new | | | | jockey to break out of the back for a clear winner |
| race and the way it is held at different tracks every | | | | than in quarter horse racing. |
| year. | | | | As you can see, there is a diverse and solid history of |
| Interestingly enough, while gambling is generally | | | | horse racing in the United States. Although horses are |
| frowned upon in the United States, horse race betting | | | | not as popular as they once were for things such as |
| is regulated and sanctioned by individual states. As | | | | transportation, show and sports horses are still |
| such, betting on horse races via legitimate channels is | | | | incredibly popular and fascinating to Americans of all |
| legal, whereas other types of sports bets aren't legal. | | | | ages. |